Rozelle Interchange, Victoria Rd speeding fines labelled ‘revenue raising’ after bungled road rollout

It has been slow going for motorists using the Rozelle Interchange, but that hasn’t stopped the State Government nabbing almost 200 drivers speeding since the bungled project opened to traffic.

It has been slow going for motorists using the Rozelle Interchange motorway opened for traffic that hasn’t stopped the State Government nabbing almost 200 drivers speeding on the road corridor since the bungled project opened to traffic.

New figures have revealed 199 lead footed motorists were detected speeding from four fixed speed cameras fitted within the underground motorway and the above-ground camera on Victoria Rd in Rozelle during January and February.

It came as the interchange was making headlines for causing major traffic congestion that left city bound commuters facing travel times of up to 90 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic.

The figures have stunned critics of the Rozelle Interchange rollout who they say are “surprised” anyone has been able to speed on a section of road that local mayor Darcy Byrne described as the “slowest transport link in Australia”.

The fine data shows 69 speeding fines were issued to drivers within the Rozelle Interchange in the eight-week period since the cameras were switched on including 14 drivers caught travelling 45kmh above the 80kmh limit – an offence that carries a maximum penalty of $2794.

A photo of speed fine warning signs at the Rozelle Interchange.

A further 46 lead-footed motorists were detected 30kmh above the limit, an offence carrying a maximum $1036 infringement, and nine drivers were caught above 20kmh, each facing fines up to $542.

The cameras within the interchange were operating in warning mode during the two-month period, however any motorist caught travelling above 30kmh were still issued fines.The cameras within the interchange were operating in warning mode period during the two-month period, however any motorist caught travelling above 30kmh were still issued fines.

A total of 130 drivers were also caught speeding by the fixed eastbound speed camera on Victoria Rd in Rozelle – earning the State Government a combined $26,201 in fine revenue.

The total number of fines from the Victoria Rd camera was down from 276 in the same period last year – a decline the NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury believes could be partly attributed to heavy congestion resulting from the opening of the Rozelle Interchange.

The interchange has launched long commutes for city-bound drivers.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, who has been lobbying the State Government to make improvements to the traffic conditions, said he was surprised by speeding fine revenue figures.

“It’s laughable that Transport for NSW is worried about fining motorists for speeding in the Rozelle Interchange, the slowest transport link in Australia,” he said.

“I’m amazed anyone can get above the speed limit.

A photo of congestion on Victoria Rd in February.

“It’s now very clear that there is a structural problem with the interchange and fixing that should be their only focus, not revenue raising.”

The figures come after the trouble-prone rollout of the motorway forced Transport for NSW to make major road adjustments aimed at improving road conditions including adding extra lane space on City West Link.

Despite the changes, the project continues to cause headaches for thousands of motorists including commuters in the city’s north who say the changes aimed at improving road conditions near the Anzac Bridge, including traffic light phasing, have only added extra time to their commuters by pushing the bottleneck further north on Victoria Rd.

There are four fixed cameras in the Rozelle Interchange.

An official parliamentary inquiry has been launched into the project which will investigate the impact for the city’s motorists and is due to hold its first hearings next month.

There are four fixed speed cameras installed within the Rozelle Interchange, which forms part of the WestConnex motorway, as well as six average speed cameras.

In April, Transport for NSW is planning to increase the current 80kmh speed limit within WestConnex to 90kmh

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said it was important drivers abide by road safety rules.

“A crash in a tunnel takes the safety concerns to another level – particularly if it results in a fire,” he said.

“It’s not hard to see the speed limit signs in WestConnex. They’re fixed cameras with warning signs so there’s no excuse for people to be speeding.”

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said fixed speed cameras :are particularly useful in enforcing speed limits in high-risk and hard-to-access locations such as tunnels like the Rozelle interchange.”

“Speeding is one of the biggest killers on NSW roads. Camera enforcement is one of the most effective, evidence-based measures to reduce speeding,” she said.